Skip to main content

Spoon-billed Sandpiper November 2017



There are so so many things that have to come together for certain images to happen as is the case of this set of pix. 

!. The miracle of having access to a small population of wintering Spoon-billed Sandpiper in relative closeness to Bangkok.
2. Finding the birds in the midst of thousands of other shorebirds.
3. Having the time and money to get to the place.
4. Being aware of the tidal schedule.
5. Decent if not good weather.
6. Having the camera gear to take the picture.
7. Knowing how to operate your camera.
8. Having good relations with the workers of the salt pans so as to not wear out your welcome.
9. Preferably no other people around in order to best approach the birds.
10. The blessing of God probably should be on top of the list though! 

So, on our way back towards Bangkok we wanted to stop by Paktaley for another try at the Spoonies having seen them a day earlier. Weather was not the best with drizzling rain being a constant.
About 5 km before our spot the drizzle ceased. It was still very gloomy and clouds looming.
Birds were scattered all over the place. We decided to remain in the car in the hope of finding the Spoonies in a nearby pan. And we did! For the next half an hour or more we worked our cameras till batteries died. It was not easy in the light given and somehow the birds never got as close as one would want. Still, we were treated to a real show and felt extremely blessed! 









Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Wut Tum Prathoon, Chonburi

 About an hour and 20 minutes drive from my home in Bangkok there is a temple on a little hill. The hill is surrounded by a forest that hold both resident and migratory birds.  At the temple there is a permanent hide with seating for about 8 people. The hide is for free.  A hose with dripping water and a bath is set up for the birds. This hide has some regular species that make use of the water as continuously. I have visited the hide a few times, mainly mid day when birds are hot and come to bath.  Here is a sample of birds I have seen of late.  Siberian Blue Robin, female  Emerald Dove Amur Paradise Flycatcher Streak-eared Bulbul Black-headed Bulbul Racket-tailed Treepie Sooty-headed Bulbul Eye-browed Thrush Chestnut-flanked White-eye Orange-headed Thrush Black-crested Bulbul Verditer Flycatcher Oriental Magpie Robin

Emerald Cuckoo

This shiny little bird always causes excitement. Quite easy to observe at Pah Gloaymai campsite at Khao Yai during the right time of year. It is simply very busy gleaning grubs from the fairly low trees found at the campsite.

Spoon-billed Sandpiper!

The season is drawing closer towards its end. Soon this enigmatic and unique creature will head towards Eastern Siberia and its breeding grounds. How long can it hold on to the pressures of loss of suitable 'refueling' habitat during its long flight? Can it find suitable breeding habitat? Will it find a mate? Can it survive another season of villagers in Bangladesh harvesting shorebirds for staple? Don't we all wish him sucess? This season I have had a high count of 8 individuals at Bak Taley, Petburi. The birds have proven quite easy to spot. Or perhaps I am getting sharper in my 'spotting skills'? Either way, when one is found and I see the joy in the face of the visiting birder, I can sense the awe and almost europhic relationship that exist between birders and this very special bird. The birds are never easy to approach very close on foot and seldom do one have a chance to use the car as a cover. This bird was pretty accommodating though and I managed a few shot...